Siam Paragon Closed Wednesday And Thursday

[Sunbelt Asia]

Siam Paragon will be closed the next two days because of political reasons. The Anti-Thaksin protest is expected to be large on the streets. One of the reasons, the protesters selected this location was because of the convience of the restaurants and bathrooms. No word yet on Discovery or Siam Center.

www.sunbeltasia.com

[terdsak_12]

Probably for the best!!!!

[george]

ANTI-THAKSIN PROTEST

City malls preparing for rally 'chaos'

BANGKOK: -- The Siam Paragon shopping mall and other upscale retail outlets in central Bang-kok started preparing for "chaos" yesterday as anti-Thaksin demonstrators unveiled plans to camp in front of their premises for three days, from tomorrow.

Siam Paragon, the city's largest retail complex, said it would consider closing temporarily if the situation gets out of hand.

Paiboon Kanokwattanawan, senior vice president of The Mall Group, which co-owns the multi-billion-baht complex, said management could not stop people from staging the rally, scheduled to take place ahead of Sunday's national election.

"However, if the situation gets chaotic, we could close the doors temporarily," he said, admitting that massive rallies could turn off foreign tourists. Foreign visitors are some of the mall's main customers.

Suriyasai Katasila, spokesman for the People's Alliance for Demo-cracy (PAD), said the anti-Thaksin movement had decided to camp out at Siam Paragon and nearby areas so it could be joined more easily by working and middle-class people.

"We want to step up the pressure on Thaksin to quit [before the April 2 poll]. Over there, we can hand out leaflets and spread information about Thaksin's misdeeds to more people," he said. Demonstrators would also ensure they do not disturb Royal Family members who live in the nearby Sa Pathum palace.

Siam Paragon's top executives held an urgent meeting yesterday, led by Chadatip Chutrakul and Supaluck Ampujh in response to the PAD's planned camp-out.

Tomorrow, Paragon is scheduled to kick off its first summer sale since the mall opened its doors in December. "The 1st Midnight Phenomenon" will run from 6pm to 10pm. The campaign, which is being run with its affiliate The Emporium complex further down Sukhumvit Road, is expected to generate some Bt800 million in sales.

Also tomorrow, exhibitors at the Bangkok International Toys Show 2006 are expected to start bringing in items for the show, which will run from Saturday until April 10. HRH Princess Somsavali has reportedly been confirmed to preside over the opening ceremony.

"We have sent invitations to VIP guests and we don't know what to do as the demonstration will cause severe traffic congestion," said a source at The Mall Group who asked not to be named.

She said that as the area is privately owned the demonstrators would have to ask for the owner's permission first. "Till now, there has been no official request to use the area."

While Siam Paragon prefers to wait another day before making any move, the nearby Siam Centre decided to delay a fashion parade to showcase Thai fashion designers, due to take place in front of Siam Discovery Centre on Friday.

On Sunday, The Emporium closed its main entrance for two hours after protesters staged a rally inside the shopping complex and became involved in quarrels with the store's security guards. Other malls, such as Central World Plaza, Central Chidlom and Erawan Bangkok, however, have warned that their businesses could be hit hard if protests are held in downtown areas for an extended period.

"This would inevitably hurt shoppers' sentiment. We're closely monitoring the situation," said Preecha Ekkunagul, president of Robinson Department Store, which has an outlet on Sukhumvit 19.

Police, meanwhile, warned that city traffic could grind to a halt if the anti-Thaksin movement occupied all traffic lanes near Siam Paragon. "The rally there will wreak havoc," Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya said after meeting with security agencies. He said he hoped PAD would review its decision.

Traffic Police chief Maj-General Wissanu Kerdlarpphol said if the PAD set up stages on Rama I Road, half of the capital's traffic would be paralysed.

He said the gridlock would spread to Sukhumvit Road, Phetchaburi Road and Phya Thai Road. Inbound traffic on Paholyothin and Vibhavadi-Rangsit roads would bear the brunt, he said.

"Personally, I think the PAD has made this decision to deliberately cause havoc because the rally could take place anywhere," Wissanu said. He said the PAD should rally on Henri Dunant Road instead.

At the moment he had no mandate to stop the demonstrators from going to Siam Paragon.

National Police assistant commissioner Achirawit Suphan-naphesat, called on the PAD to sympathise with other people in the capital.

"The traffic around Pathumwan Intersection (close to Siam Paragon) is already congested. The rally will just aggravate the conditions," he said.

Ekkaporn Rakkwamsuk, a Thai Rak Thai candidate, said the PAD was now causing problems. "It has caused an adverse impact on traffic as well as on Bangkok residents. It's coming close to breaking the law," he said.

--The Nation 2006-03-28

[Sunbelt Asia]

Siam Paragon, the city's largest retail complex, said it would consider closing temporarily if the situation gets out of hand.

Sorry to say, but it is now official Paragon will be closed for 2 days.

www.sunbeltasia.com

[dukkha]

Big deal...so the rich and their brats wont be able to consume more of the countless and meaningless items for sale...I wonder what my Esaan family would think of these horrendous monuments to greed and galloping consumerism...Bangkok has just become ONE HUGE SHOPPING MALL...they have about as much humanity in them as a used green tea bag... dukkha

[ProfessorFart]

Why are they targeting shopping malls?

Have they had enough of Sanam Luang and Government house and fancy a little Air Con?

[seonai]

They won't be in the Mall - in the street in front I think. Agree with Dukkha about the wretched consumerism in BKK - YUCH !

[sriracha john]

Police may disperse protest

Police have accused the anti-government People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) of planning a deliberately provocative demonstration in the heart of the capital tomorrow, warning that the protest may be broken up.

The PAD has said it will stage a mass protest outside the upmarket Siam Paragon shopping complex from March 29-31, raising fears of traffic chaos in an area where hundreds of shops and restaurants, and more than 40 tutorial schools are located.

Siam Paragon management Tuesday held an urgent meeting and announced that the shopping complex will close on March 29-30 as demonstrators will move from the present site at Makawan bridge to rally in front of the mall starting tomorrow ( Wednesday 29).

The demonstrators will stop rallying during April 1-2 as they have to go to vote in the Sunday snap poll but promised to continue rallying until PM Thaksin is out.

Police assistant commissioner Lieutenant General Chaiyan Maklam-tong said all those facing disruption should call for the cancellation of the mass rally.

He also encouraged those affected to file a formal complaint through police headquarters, saying if there were sufficient numbers the force was prepared to disperse the demonstrators.

General Chaiyan said while people had the legal right to protest, a demonstration outside Siam Paragon would infringe other people’s rights.

Land Transport Department chief Piyapan Champasut also said that the shopping complex rally would cause trouble for commuters and motorists, as the area was in the heart of the city and the location of several educational institutes.

Although the PAD said it would leave a traffic lane open, he said it would not alleviate the expected traffic congestion.

The Land Transport Department has ordered the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) to change the routes of its bus services to avoid the planned protest site.

-- TNA 2006-03-28

[Blake7]

A huge disaster for the wife! (though a welcome respite for the platinum AMEX.....)

[Soi Oz]

I wonder what my Esaan family would think of these horrendous monuments to greed and galloping consumerism...

They probably aspire to shop there themselves....

[English Noodles]

Police may disperse protest

I know where i will be with my camera fully charged tomorrow.

[Soi Oz]

ANTI-THAKSIN PROTEST

City malls preparing for rally 'chaos'

Ekkaporn Rakkwamsuk, a Thai Rak Thai candidate, said the PAD was now causing problems. "It has caused an adverse impact on traffic as well as on Bangkok residents. It's coming close to breaking the law," he said.

--The Nation 2006-03-28

Close? These ar$h0les don't give a flying %^^& about the residents of this city. As if the traffic isn't bad enough, we get lanes full of bussed in protesters adding to the mess. Inappropriate comment deleted. You had already made your point. /Meadish

[udance4ever]

ha ha - this is fear at its best

Edited March 28, 2006 by udance4ever

[Soi Oz]

They won't be in the Mall - in the street in front I think. Agree with Dukkha about the wretched consumerism in BKK - YUCH !

Just out of interest, where in Thailand is there NOT this 'wretched consumerism'? It's a national phenomenon if you ask me. The only reason it's not as bad in the rest of the country is the fact that the population there can't afford to be rampant consumers.

[Heiniken]

Post deleted by admin. Please use appropriate language.

Thanks /Admin

[george]

Luxury shopping complex to close due to planned anti-Thaksin rally

BANGKOK: -- Three shopping centers on Rama I Road announced their decision to close on Wednesday and Thursday (March 29-30) after the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) confirmed their rally outside the upscale mega shopping complex.

Siampiwat Co.Ltd and the Siam Paragon Development Co. Ltd said they would close three shopping centers including Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery Center, and Siam Center on March 29 and 30 following the news that Rama I Road in front of the three high-end department stores was likely to close due to traffic congestion.

Closure of the road will affect goods delivery as well as transport by lorry into the shopping centers, not to mention customer access to the department stores and their staff, the two companies said in their statement.

Meanwhile, commercial banks located in the Siam Square area said they would remain open despite the mass rally this week because customers needed to do business transactions as usual.

Senior executives of financial institutions believe that the rally won't affect the operations of their banking facilities.

All of Thailand's commercial banks have branches located in the Siam Square area, as it is one of Bangkok's prime business centers.

The PAD decision to stage a mass protest at the upmarket Siam Paragon shopping complex from March 29-30, raises fear of traffic chaos in an area where hundreds of shops and restaurants, and more than 40 tutorial schools are located.

--TNA 2006-03-28

[seonai]

I expect it'll take Thai's another 30 years to realise that constant buying of goods is not always productive - especially if you are unaware of where they are from!!!!!

Tell you what I miss, charity shops!!!!!! Books, clothes, furniture - heaven and helping someone too.

[Cpt_M0ney_Sh0t]

Big deal...so the rich and their brats wont be able to consume more of the countless and meaningless items for sale...I wonder what my Esaan family would think of these horrendous monuments to greed and galloping consumerism...Bangkok has just become ONE HUGE SHOPPING MALL...they have about as much humanity in them as a used green tea bag... dukkha

Off topic comment deleted. Please stay on topic, do not feed trolls and avoid making broad generalizations. Thank you. /Meadish

Edited March 28, 2006 by meadish_sweetball

[deminister]

so Sodhi and Chamlong are self destructive after all. I wonder if there are no toilets in the restaurant of Chamlong or at the premises of Sondhi (unless it is already under the bank of course) but those places make convenient areas for protestors from both sides. It says all about Chamlong cs. They do not give a rats ass about the people and their work it is all about their ego.

[Anon999]

Quoted off topic post as well as the off topic response deleted. /Meadish

[meadish_sweetball]

Stay on TOPIC as defined by the headline of this thread:

Siam Paragon Closed Wednesday And Thursday, Because of political reasons

Thank you.

[Axel]

I would not say, they close because of political reasons.

If I would have a shop and expect tenthousand(s) of protesters in front of my door, I would close the door and board up the windows as protests can easily lead to riots.

Anyway, one would expect that the normal customers will stay away from the area, so closin g does not mean additional loss.

[warriors]

Here we go, it is all heating up, as we all who live over here expected.

Time to think about staying off the streets, get the food in and tune in to whatever station will cover the events fairly.

Sorry for Thailand. But I still think P.M. to blame. He should go and install one of his cronies till both sides agree on a change to the constitution.

Be safe every one.

[Gary A]

Thailand is a democracy? How can you tell? Trying to run out a democratically elected prime minister smacks of mob rule. I am an American. Do you think I am happy with GW! He was elected so he will serve his term. Anything other than his being impeached simply will not do. These people should be trying to find someone to beat him in an election.

[massein]

Siam Paragon, the city's largest retail complex, said it would consider closing temporarily if the situation gets out of hand.

Sorry to say, but it is now official Paragon will be closed for 2 days.

www.sunbeltasia.com

I think it was a good plan they could of got out of the heat into the AC every couple of hours

but i guess the hi so ppl don't want common ppl interloping in there space

The pad should of not been so vocal about the plans, now they have no where to go

[paulnuek]

Police may disperse protest

I know where i will be with my camera fully charged tomorrow.

Keep it locked away and watch the show on TV in you favorite drinking establishment.....

[Martin]

As well as the practical reasons, there does seem to be political reason to rally in the centre of (credit-led) consumerism.

The disillusion with Thaksin Shinawatra seems to be founded in an aversion to his politics (i.e. his policies in moving the country in a certain direction).

The protesters are saying that they find something essential to be lacking in his policies.

A credit-led boom, and selling one's equity in Thailand to Singapore, is being felt either to be wrong, or to be insufficient, or both.

Articulating a coherent set of political wishes is something that doesn't come easily, even in countries that have had schooling and industrial-city organisation for several more generations than Thailand has had it.

In the political awareness, understanding and involvement of the majority of the population in the political process, as in many other things, in Thailand we are living in, and witnessing at first hand, a rapid 'catching up' operation.

Whether one thinks that such 'catching up' is good and wise, or not, is off-topic. But it is definitely there at the root of these demonstrations and, I think, resonates with this change of location of the rally.

[Ulysses G.]

I wonder what my Esaan family would think of these horrendous monuments to greed and galloping consumerism...

They probably aspire to shop there themselves....

They certainly do!

[massein]

I would not say, they close because of political reasons.

If I would have a shop and expect tenthousand(s) of protesters in front of my door, I would close the door and board up the windows as protests can easily lead to riots.

Anyway, one would expect that the normal customers will stay away from the area, so closin g does not mean additional loss.

The protesters could of well become customers if treated with respect. as far as i can see they have gone out of ther way to be law bidding, the only violations i see is ferviously lawsuits by TRT

and TRT interloper runner over inncent protesters

[aznyron]

Big deal...so the rich and their brats wont be able to consume more of the countless and meaningless items for sale...I wonder what my Esaan family would think of these horrendous monuments to greed and galloping consumerism...Bangkok has just become ONE HUGE SHOPPING MALL...they have about as much humanity in them as a used green tea bag... dukkha

Maybe i am reading this wrong but I like shopping malls I prefer them over a bar stool sucking up the booze as non drinker and non smoker we need places to unwind I have idea why don't they demostrate on beach road in Pattaya and have all the bars close for a few days then maybe some of you just might get sober long enough to know what going on